Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was leading the racketeering case against Donald Trump. She allowed the case to sprawl further and further before seeing it delayed by a possible conflict of interest.
Now, Willis has seen her office rocked by an even graver scandal, a possible misuse of federal funds.
Between 2020 and 2023, the county prosecutor’s office was spending a $488,0000 grant earmarked for juvenile programs. Now, Willis has come under fire for “inconsistencies” in its reporting to federal authorities, according to a Justice Department official’s remarks to the press.
“During our review of the award to respond to this inquiry, we have noticed some inconsistencies in what Fulton County has reported to [the Federal Subaward Reporting System] and we are working with them to update their reporting accordingly,” an unnamed spokeswoman for the Justice Department told the Washington Free Beacon on Friday, April 5.
The Justice Department spokeswoman declined to specify the nature of these “inconsistencies.”
However, Amanda Timpson — a former employee of Willis’ office — sued her former employer two years ago in a Georgia court, and she accused the D.A. of misusing the grant to pay for travel, computers, and “swag.” Timpson also accused a higher-ranking employee of racial discrimination against those with Afro-textured hair.
The House Judiciary Committee is investigating the D.A.’s use of federal funds, as the Justice Department is “working with [the D.A.’s office] to update their reporting accordingly.”
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, used his chairmanship on the committee to subpoena the D.A.’s records related to this grant and to Timpson. Willis called Jordan’s requests “unreasonable and uncustomary” and described them as an attempt to delay the prosecution of a political ally.
In Georgia, Trump has been charged with racketeering, witness tampering and soliciting a public officer to violate their oath, and the list goes on. He’s pleaded not guilty.
A court allowed Willis to remain on the case despite the scandal over her possible conflict of interest. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade, one of Willis’ ex-lovers, took this high-paying job in her office, and Wade also took Willis on lavish, expensive vacations. In other words, Wade fueled concerns about Willis’ potential to profit from the prosecution of Trump.
Willis has since fired Wade and remained on the case herself.
The Horn editorial team